NFL vs NBA Salary

Introduction

When it comes to professional sports, few debates are as heated as NFL vs NBA salary comparisons. Both leagues are billion-dollar empires with superstar athletes, massive sponsorships, and worldwide fanbases. But when you look closer, the gap between how much NFL and NBA players actually earn can be surprising.

In 2025, salaries in both leagues have reached record highs thanks to new media deals, streaming partnerships, and global expansion. Yet, despite the NFL’s enormous revenue, NBA players often take home fatter paychecks. Why? It all comes down to structure—league size, guaranteed contracts, and salary caps make a huge difference in what players take to the bank.

This guide breaks down NFL vs NBA salaries, explaining how pay is structured, why certain players earn more, and which league offers the best long-term financial opportunities.

Key Takeaways

• NBA players generally earn higher average salaries due to smaller rosters and guaranteed contracts.
• NFL stars can make huge money—but most players earn less because contracts are often not fully guaranteed.
• Revenue sharing and salary caps play a key role in shaping pay differences.
• Endorsements and bonuses can significantly boost income for elite athletes in both leagues.
• The NBA leads in average salary, while the NFL leads in total revenue and overall job opportunities.

Understanding the Salary Structures

At first glance, it might seem like NFL players should make more money. After all, the NFL generates nearly double the annual revenue of the NBA—over $20 billion compared to the NBA’s roughly $13 billion in 2025. However, revenue doesn’t always translate equally into player salaries.

The NBA Salary System

The NBA operates with a soft salary cap, meaning teams can exceed the limit under certain conditions (like re-signing their own players). This flexibility allows teams to offer higher wages and complex contracts with guaranteed money.

• Average NBA salary (2025): around $10.4 million per year
• Minimum salary: roughly $1.2 million for rookies
• Top earners: stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Luka Dončić make over $50 million annually just from contracts

Additionally, NBA players enjoy fully guaranteed contracts, meaning even if they get injured or cut, they still receive the full value of their deal. That level of financial security is almost unheard of in most other sports.

The NFL Salary System

The NFL uses a hard salary cap, which teams cannot exceed under any circumstances. With 53-man rosters (compared to 15 in the NBA), the money has to stretch much further.

• Average NFL salary (2025): about $2.8 million per year
• Minimum salary: around $750,000 for rookies
• Top earners: elite quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Josh Allen earn $45–55 million per year

The biggest difference? NFL contracts are often not fully guaranteed. Players may only receive part of their total contract if they’re injured, released, or underperform. This makes financial planning more uncertain, especially for non-star athletes.

Why NBA Players Earn More

Even though the NFL is more popular and profitable overall, the structure of the leagues makes NBA players richer on average.

1. Smaller Rosters

NBA teams have only 15 players, while NFL teams have 53. That means each NBA player gets a larger slice of the salary pie. The league’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) ensures that players receive about 50% of league revenue—split among far fewer people.

2. Guaranteed Contracts

Every NBA player’s contract is guaranteed, which protects their income no matter what happens. In contrast, many NFL players can lose money if they’re cut or injured, since only a portion of their contracts is guaranteed.

3. Global Marketing and Endorsements

Basketball is a more international sport, giving NBA players more exposure and endorsement opportunities. Stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant make tens of millions annually from brands like Nike and Google.

NFL players, while immensely popular in the U.S., don’t have the same global visibility—making their off-field earnings smaller on average.

4. Shorter Seasons and More Visibility

The NBA season has 82 regular-season games, while the NFL has only 17. That means NBA players are on TV—and in the public eye—far more often, boosting their commercial value.

Comparing Star Salaries

Here’s how the top earners in each league stack up in 2025:

While NFL superstars like Mahomes and Burrow rival NBA stars in total pay, the average NFL player earns far less, widening the overall pay gap.

Average vs. Median Salaries

One of the most important distinctions when comparing leagues is the average vs. median salary:

• NBA average salary: $10.4M
• NBA median salary: $5.3M
• NFL average salary: $2.8M
• NFL median salary: $860K

In other words, while NFL superstars make massive money, most players—especially linemen or special teamers—earn much less. In the NBA, even bench players make millions per year.

Longevity and Career Security

The average NBA career lasts about 4.5 years, while the NFL average career is just 3.3 years due to higher injury risks. Shorter careers mean fewer paychecks and less financial stability for NFL athletes.

Furthermore, NBA players often transition into coaching, broadcasting, or brand ownership after retirement. Many NFL players face physical challenges that make post-career opportunities harder to pursue.

The Role of Endorsements

Endorsements can be a major equalizer for top-tier athletes.

• NBA stars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry earn upwards of $80–100 million per year in endorsements alone.
• NFL icons like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce also pull in millions, but usually less than their NBA counterparts.

The NBA’s global appeal, especially in Asia and Europe, makes its athletes more marketable internationally.

Future Salary Trends

By 2025 and beyond, both leagues are expected to see continued salary growth. The NBA’s new media rights deal, projected to exceed $70 billion, will push player salaries even higher.

Meanwhile, the NFL’s increasing global expansion and streaming deals (Amazon, YouTube TV) will keep top quarterbacks among the highest-paid athletes in the world—but average salaries will likely remain lower than those in the NBA due to roster size and cap structure.

Conclusion

When it comes to NFL vs NBA salary, the answer is clear: NBA players earn more on average, while NFL stars can still command record-breaking contracts at the top. The difference lies in how each league structures its pay and guarantees player security.

Basketball offers more guaranteed money and global fame, while football delivers higher total revenue and more total players earning a living. Both paths can lead to incredible wealth—but if you’re measuring paycheck by paycheck, NBA players still have the financial edge.

FAQs

Who earns more—NFL or NBA players?
On average, NBA players earn significantly more due to smaller rosters and guaranteed contracts.

Why aren’t NFL contracts fully guaranteed?
Because of higher injury risks and larger rosters, teams protect themselves financially by offering partial guarantees.

Which league has the highest-paid athlete?
As of 2025, Stephen Curry and Patrick Mahomes are among the world’s top earners, each making around $50 million per year.

Do NBA players make money off endorsements?
Yes—endorsements often double or triple their total annual income.

Will NFL players ever earn as much as NBA players?
It’s unlikely on average, but as media deals grow and international interest rises, the gap could narrow over time.